Doff timing control apparatus



May 17, 1955 R. F. DYER DOFF' TIMING CONTROL APPARATUS 2 Sheets-Sheet lFiled Sept. 8 1951 RICHARD F. D YER INVENTOR.

ATTORNEYS Unite 1 DOFF TIMING CONTRQL APPARATUS Application September 8,1951, Serial No. 245,749

15 Claims. (Cl. 242-355) This invention relates to winding machines andin particular to apparatus for accurately producing the same yardage ofyarn on all bobbins wound on a multiplespindle winding machine.

In the textile industry it is highly desirable to have equal yardage ofyarn wound on all bobbins, or packages, consigned to the same end use.The technique heretofore followed to obtain uniform yardage required anoperator to watch a clock and to doff each bobbin at the proper timedepending upon the yards-per-minute winding speed. Since each operatortends several hundred spindles, his dofilng time accuracy is necessarilypoor and the total yardage of yarn varies widely from bobbin to bobbin.This results in excessive cost in beaming from the bobbins since thewaste yarn and labor costs increase rapidly with increasing deviationfrom the desired yardage.

It is an object of the invention to provide dott timing apparatus, foruse in combination with a multiple spindle winding machine havingseparate spindles capable of being individually braked, which provides aprecise and automatic control for doffing each bobbin of yarn with aminimum error in yardage. It is a further object of the invention toprovide such dofling apparatus which accurately and consistentlyproduces equal yardage of yarn on the bobbins. Another object of theinvention is to provide apparatus for producing uniform yardage of yarnon the bobbins of a winding machine in which the deviation from thedesired yardage due to the human error is a minimum.

It is a further object of the invention to provide apparatus forautomatically and sequentially braking the spindles of a windingmachine, after the bobbins are wound to the desired yardage, for asufficient interval to allow an operator to replace a full bobbin withan empty one. It is a still further object of the invention to providemeans in such dofi timing apparatus for coordinating several windingmachines in order to allow staggering of the doll times and evendistribution of work loads.

According to the invention an individual electrically operated brake isprovided for each spindle of a winding machine and means are providedfor sequentially activating the brakes after yarn has been wound on eachbobbin for a desired winding period.

The doll timing apparatus of the preferred embodiment of the inventionincludes a cycle timer, or master timer, which controls the totalyardage of yarn wound on the bobbins and a program timer which controlsthe operators Work cycle by sequentially braking each spindle, after thedesired yardage has been wound on the corresponding bobbin, for asufficient interval to allow replacement of the full bobbin with anempty one. The dotting cycle, or the time between successive dofisperformed by the operator on the multiple-spindle machine, is manuallyset on the cycle timer which in turn starts the braking cycle after theexpiration of the manually set dofiing cycle. The program timersequentially brakes each States Patent spindle after the desired yardageof yarn has been wound 2,708,553 Patented May 17, 1955 "ice on thecorresponding bobbin. A pneumatic brake is provided for each spindle ofthe spinning machine and an individual solenoid is in turn provided tooperate each pneumatic brake. Timed pulses of suificient duration toallow replacement of a full bobbin by an empty one are sequentially sentfrom the program timer to the brake solenoids. After the brake cycle(consisting of the sequential braking of each spindle), the cycle timercontinues to run for the unexpired portion of the manually set dottingcycle, and after expiration thereof means are provided for-resetting thecycle timer.

In the preferred embodiment of the invention, each bank contact of arotary stepping switch is in circuit with the solenoid of an individualspindle brake, and timed pulses are sent from the program timer toadvance the switch wiper step-by-step over the bank contacts and tosequentially actuate the solenoids. The program timer comprises asynchronous, motor-driven, multi-cam recycling timer which is adapted torepeat a constant cycle of on-and-off periods. Continuously rotated camson the shaft of the synchronous motor cyclically close a first pair ofelectrical contact to complete an electrical circuit to actuate thesolenoid of the rotary switch, and thus advance the switch wiper acrossthe bank contacts, and a second pair of contacts to connect electricalpower to the switch wiper, and thus actuate the corresponding brakesolenoid, for a sufiicient interval to allow the doffing operator toreplace a full bobbin with an empty one.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from thefollowing description when read in connection with the accompanyingdrawing in which:

Fig. l is a wiring diagram of the preferred embodiment of a dofi timingcontrol suitable for a lOO-spindle winding machine;

Fig. 2 shows the brakes and the solenoids mounted on a Winding machineframe; and

Fig. 3 illustrates the method of utilizing the apparatus of theinvention to coordinate the dofiing periods of several spinning machineunits.

The preferred embodiment of dofi timing control apparatus illustrated inFig. l is adapted to sequentially brake each spindle of a windingmachine and to control the winding period for each bobbin. Each spindleS1, S2, S3, etc. of a l00-spindle Winding machine is provided with anindividual pneumatic brake 11 which is adapted when operated to stop therotation of a continuously driven spindle S. Pneumatic brakes for thespindles of winding machines are well known in the art, and to simplifythe drawing and to facilitate the understanding of the invention thebrakes 11 are shown schematically in block form. Bobbins 12 mounted oneach spindle S have the usual flanges 13 and 14 and have driving contactwith a whorl 15 which is driven in the usual manner. Rings 16 adapted tobe moved axially of the bobbins 12 guide the thread on the continuouslyrevolving bobbins 12. Each brake 11 is controlled by a three-waysolenoid valve SV adapted when electrically actuated to admit highpressure air from a line 18 through tubing 20 to the corresponding brake11 and thus stop one of the spindles S. When the electrical circuit to asolenoid valve SV is opened, high pressure air is cut ofi from thecorresponding brake 11 and exhausted to the atmosphere through anexhaust port 21 (see Fig. 2). The spindle S is thereby released andcontinues to revolve causing the bobbin 12 to take up the yarn.

A cycle timer, or master timer, 23 which may be manually set for anyinterval up to 20 hours, is adapted to run for the selected doffingcycle and to close pairs of electrical contacts after the expirationthereof. The electrical contacts of the cycle timer 23 initiate thebraking cycle which is regulated by a synchronous, motor-driven,multicam, recycling program timer 24 which continuously repeats aconstant cycle consisting of definite on-and-ofi periods. The cycletimer 23 is provided with a synchronous motor 26 which is adapted todrive its timing mechanism and a reset solenoid 27 which is adapted whenelectrically actuated to restore the cycle timer 23 to its original condition and thus permit the dofiing cycle to begin anew. In operation,the cycle timer 23 is set for the dofiing cycle and controls the yardageof yarn on each bobbin in addition to providing a fixed interval of timein which the operator may doff the wound bobbin on the braked spindleand replace it with an empty one. The program timer 24 comprises amultiplicity of cams 28, 29, and 30, mounted on the shaft 31 of asynchronous motor 32 with each cam adapted'to close a pair of electricalcontacts for a definite portion of the common time cycle.

An individual solenoid valve SV is associated with each spindle S andits corresponding brake 11. Two 52-point rotary stepping switches 33 and34 are provided with sets, or banks, 35 and 36 respectively ofstationary contacts with each of the first fifty stationary contacts ofthe banks 35 and 36 connected to an individual solenoid valve SV. Thefirst fifty stationary contacts of the bank 35 are referred to in thedrawing and in the specification as C1, C2 C50, and the 51st and 52ndcontact thereof as T1 and T2; similarly, the first fifty contacts of thebank 36 are referred to as C51, C52 C100 and the 51st and 52nd contactthereof as T3 and T4. The fifty electrical leads from the banks 35 and36 are cabled and run through conduits 37 (see Fig. 2) to the windingmachine frame where each lead is connected to the corresponding solenoidvalve SV. The rotary stepping switches 33 and 34 are provided withsolenoids 39 and 40 respectively which are adapted when electricallyactuated to advance wiper contacts 41 and 42 through conventionalpawl-andratchet mechanisms (not shown) step-by-step across the banks 35and 36 of stationary contacts. The rotary stepping switches 33 and 34are also provided with pairs of off-normal electrical contact springs 44and 45 respectively which are adapted to close and make electricalcontact when the wipers 41 and 42 are on any of the first fifty-onestationary contacts but to open and break electrical contact when thesewipers are on the 52nd contact, i. e., when wiper 41 is on contact T2and wiper 42 is on contact T4.

The rotary stepping switch 33 is also provided with another bank 38 ofstationary contacts and a wiper contact 43 adapted to be advanced acrossthese contacts by the solenoid 39 in unison with the wiper 41. Thewipers 41 and 42 are electrically commoned and connected to a spring 46of a pair of electrical contact springs adapted to be closed by the cam28 of the program timer 24; the other electrical contact spring 47 ofthis pair is connected directly to one side of the 1l0-volt potentialsource. A condenser 48 across the output of a full-wave bridge rectifier49, which in turn is connected directly across the 110-volt alternatingcurrent source, filters the unidirectional output. The positive side ofthe rectifier output is connected to one of the springs of each of theoff-normal pairs 44 and 45 and to the wiper 43. The negative side of thebridge rectifier 49 is connected to one of the springs 54 of a pair ofelectrical contact springs adapted to be closed by the cam 29 and theother spring 56 of this pair is electrically connected to one terminalof the solenoid 40 of the rotary stepping switch 34. The-other terminalof the solenoid 40 is electrically connected to the 51st contact R1 ofbank 33 and also to the second spring of the offnormal contacts 45. Aspring 58 of a pair of electrical contact springs adapted to be closedby the cam 30 is electrically commoned to the spring 54, while thesecond spring 60 of this pair is connected to one terminal of thesolenoid 39 of the stepping switch 33. The other terminal of thesolenoid 39 is electrically connected to the second spring of theoff-normal contacts 44 and to an of the rotary switches 33 and 34respectively armature spring 62 of a pair of break" electrical contactsprings adapted to be opened by operation of a mechanical latch relay64. The second armature spring 65 of the pair of electrical contactsprings on the mechanical latch relay 64 is connected to the positiveside of the full-wave bridge rectifier 49.

The mechanical latch relay 64 is provided with a first relay coil 66adapted when electrically actuated to attract an armature 67 which inturn opens the normally closed armature springs 62 and 65. A releasearmature 68 on the relay 64 is adapted to mechanically latch thearmature 67 in the operated position. Electrical actuation of a releasecoil 72 of the relay 64 attracts the release armature 68 which pivotsand releases the armature 67. The restoration of armature 67 allows thearmature springs 62 and 65 to again close. One terminal of each of thecoils 66 and 72 is connected to the same side of the llO-voltalternating current source, while the opposite terminal of the coil 66is connected to the second stationary contact C2 of the bank 35. Theother terminal of the release coil 72 is connected to'a spring 74 of apair of make electrical contact springs on the cycle timer 23 adapted tobe closed when the cycle timer times out, while the other contact spring75 of this pair is connected directly to one side of the -voltalternating current source. The first contact C1 of the bank 35 isconnected to the reset solenoid 27 of the cycle timer 23 through a jack8!).

In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the synchronous motor 32of the program timer 24 is connected directly across the 110-voltalternating current source and runs continuously on a 54-second cyclewith the cam 28 adapted to close the springs 46 and 47 at 0 seconds ofthe cycle and open them after the expiration of 33 seconds, cam 29 isadapted to close springs 54 and 56 at 34 seconds and to open thesecontacts at 35 seconds of the cycle, and cam 30 is adapted to closesprings 58 and 60 at 36 seconds and to open these springs at 37 secondsof the 54-second program timer cycle. Spring contacts 46 and 47 operatedby the cam 28 control the time interval that each spindle is braked bycompleting an electrical circuit to connect the 110 volt source througha switch wiper 41 or 42 to the corresponding solenoid valve SV. Thespring contacts 54 and 56 closed by the cam 29 complete an electricalcircuit for connecting the 60-voltvdirect current output from the bridgerectifier 49 to the solenoid 40 to step the rotary stepping switch 34;similarly, springs 58 and 60 operated by cam 30 connect the 60-voltoutput from the bridge rectifier 49 to the solenoid 39 to advance thewipers 41 and 43 of the rotary stepping switch 33.

The operation of the preferred embodiment of the invention can best beunderstood by assuming that the doff timing apparatus has been inoperation for a sufficient interval so that the bobbin 12 on spindle S1has been wound to almost the desired'yardage, i. e., just before thecycle timer 23 times out. In this condition of the apparatus, themechanical latch relay 64 is retained in the operated position and thewipers 41, 42, and 43 of the rotary stepping switches 33 and 34 are allon the 52nd contact, e. g., wiper 41 is on contact T2, at which positionthe pairs of cit-normal contact spring 44 and 45 are both open ashereinbefore explained. The dofling cycle isalways greater than thebraking period and the cycle timer 23 has been running continuouslysince the last spindle, i; e., $100, was braked. Just prior to the timethat the first bobbin is filled to the desired yardage and at theexpiration of the time manually set into the cycle timer 23, i. e., thedoffing cycle, the electrical contact springs 74 and 75 of the cycletimer 23 close to electrically energize the release coil 72 of themechanical latch relay 64. Energization of the coil 72 attracts therelease armature 68 and allows the armature 67 to restore and permitsprings 62 and 65 again to make electrical contact. Closing of thesprings 62 and 65 prepares the circuit for the ener- 'pleted throughwiper 41 gization of the solenoid 39 of the rotary stepping switch 33,and when contacts 58 and 60 are closed by the cam 30, an electricalcircuit is completed to connect 60 volts from the bridge rectifier 49across the solenoid 39. Energization of solenoid 39 advances wipers 41and 43 from the 52nd to the 1st stationary contact, e. g., wiper 41 isadvanced from contact T2 to contact C1, thereby allowing the off-normalsprings 44 to close. When springs 46 and 47 are closed by cam 28 at thestart of the next cycle of the program timer 24, a 1l0-volt circuit iscomto solenoid valve SV1 at spindle S1 and to the reset solenoid 27 ofthe cycle timer 23. Energization of the reset solenoid 27 restores thecycle timer 23 to its original condition, and when these contacts 46 and47 open after 33 seconds of the program timer cycle, the synchronousmotor 26 of the cycle timer 23 again begins to run for the time manuallyset into the cycle timer, i. e., the dofling cycle. Energization ofsolenoid valve SV1 admits high pressure air from the line 18 throughtubing 20 to the corresponding brake 11 and stops the spindle S1 for asufiicient interval to allow the doifing operator to replace the fullbobbin 12 with an empty one and to do any cleaning necessary.

In the preferred embodiment of the invention, each spindle S inbeforeexplained. It will be noted that in the preferred embodiment of theinvention, the first spindle S1 is braked at the beginning of thedoffing cycle controlled by the cycle timer 23 and that the succeedingbrakes 11 are sequentially operated at 54-second intervals. theexpiration of 34 seconds of the first cycle of the program timer,contacts 54 and 56 close but inasmuch as the electrical circuit to thesolenoid 40 is open at the offnormal springs 45, no electrical switchingis accomplished thereby. Electrical contacts cam at the expiration of 36seconds of the first cycle of the program timer and complete anelectrical circuit through the off-normal springs 44 to the solenoid 39to advance the wiper 41 to the second bank contact C2 and wiper 43 tothe second stationary contact of the bank 38. Springs 46 and 47 close atthe beginning of the second cycle of the program timer and complete a1l0-volt electrical circuit to actuate the solenoid valve SV2 of spindleS2 and to energize the coil 66 of the mechanical latch relay 64.Energization of coil 66 attracts and mechanically latches the armature67 which opens spring contacts 62 and 65. Energization of solenoid valveSV2 admits high pressure air from the line 18 to the corresponding brake11 to stop the bobbin 12 of spindle S2 after the desired yardage ofthereon. Contacts 46 and 47 open at the expiration of 33 seconds of theprogram timer cycle to release solenoid valve SV2 and the correspondingbrake 11 and thus allow the spindle S2 to again rotate. Contacts 54 and56 close at 34 seconds of the program timer cycle but no electricalswitching is accomplished thereby. Contacts 58 and 60 close at 36seconds of the program timer cycle and complete an electrical circuit tothe solenoid 39 to step the wiper 41 to bank contact C3 and wiper 43 tothe third stationary contact of bank 38. In a similar manner, the firstfifty spindles S of the winding machine are braked when the wiper 41 isstepped to the corresponding bank contact.

After contacts 58 and 60 close to complete an electrical circuit tosolenoid 39 and step the wiper 41 to the 51st contact T1 of bank andwiper 43 to the 51st contact R1 of bank 38, a 60-volt electrical circuitis completed through the wiper 43 to the solenoid when contacts 54 and56 close after the expiration of 34 seconds of the 51st program timercycle. Contact T1 of bank 35 is not connected to a solenoid valve SVand, consequently, no spindle S is braked when contacts 46 and 47 closeat the beginning of the 51st cycle of the program timer. Energization ofsolenoid 40 steps wiper 42 from the 52nd, i. e., T4, to the 1st contact,i. e., C51, of bank is individually braked for 33 seconds, as here-After 58 and 60 are closed by yarn has been wound 36, thus permittingthe off-normal spring contacts 45 to close as hereinbefore explained.Wiper 41 is stepped from the contact T1 to contact T2 when springs 58and 60 are actuated by the cam 30 after 36 seconds of the 51st programtimer cycle, at which time the oil-normal springs 44 open and preventfurther stepping of the rotary stepping switch 33 until the cycle timer23 again times out.

A 110-volt electrical circuit is completed throughthe wiper 42sequentially to the valve solenoids SV of the spindles 51 to 100 in thesame manner as hereinbefore explained for the rotary stepping switch 33.The contacts 46 and 47 again control the interval that each brake 11 isenergized, while the spring contacts 54 and 56 actuated by the cam 29provide the stepping pulses for advancing the rotary stepping switch 34.No valve solenoid SV is connected to the contact T3 of bank 36, and nospindle is braked when the wiper 42 rests on this contact. When thewiper 42 steps to the 52nd bank contact, i. e., T4, of bank 36, theoff-normal springs 45 open the circuit to the solenoid 40 and preventfurther stepping of the rotary stepping switch 34 until the switch 33 isagain stepped across all the contacts of its banks. Both rotary steppingswitches 33 and 34 remain at rest for the remainder of the dofiing cycleset in the cycle timer 23, and the bobbins 12 continue to rotate andfill with yarn. At the end of the doffing cycle, i. e., when the cycletimer 23 times out, the electrical contact springs 74 and 75 are againclosed as hereinbefore explained to energize the coil 72 which attractsthe release armature 63 and restores the armature 67 to allow theelectrical contact springs 62 and 65 to make. Closure of contact springs62 and 65 prepares an electrical path to solenoid 39 which in turn iselectrically energized when the contacts 58 and 60 close as hereinbeforeexplained to step the wiper 41 from contact T2 to contact C1 (and wiper43 from the 52nd to the first contact of bank 38) and thus prepare thecircuit for braking spindle S1. Thereafter the spindles are individuallyand sequentially braked as hereinbefore explained.

In Fig. 2 a sequence of operation is shown where the brake 11 at spindleposition S1 has just been released, the brake 11 at spindle position S2is operated and the full bobbin has been replaced by an empty one. Thebrake 11 at spindle position S2 is about to be released. Spindle S3,having a full bobbin, will be doffed during the next cycle of theprogram timer 24, and spindles S4 and S5 will be dotted in successiveprogram timer cycles.

The method of coordinating several winding machine units will now bedescribed in relation to Figs. 1 and 3. It will be noted that theelectrical circuit from the rotary stepping switch bank contact C1 tothe reset solenoid 27 of the cycle timer 23 is through jack switch 80. Aseparate jack 81 is connected to this circuit to allow the same resetsignal to be sent to another doffing control unit which is connected tothe same ll0-volt alternating current power source. If a cord havingtelephone plugs at both ends thereof connects jack 81 of another controlunit (A in'Fig. 3) with jack of control unit B in Fig. 3, the resetsignal circuit in control unit B will be opened and the reset signal ofcontrol unit A will govern the resetting of control unit B. Thus, if, asshown in Fig. 3, the cycle timer 23 of unit B is set to 25 minutes andis to be reset by unit A, spindle S1 on unit B will always be braked 25minutes after spindle S1 on the winding frame controlled by unit A. InFig. 3, controls A, B and C are running on a dotting cycle of minutes asset on unit A. The reset impulse is put in lead 83 by a connection tojack 81 of unit A, and control units B and C are reset by unit A withconnections from lead 83 to the jacks 8% of these units. Control unit Bthen dolls 25 minutes after unit A and unit C dofls 50 minutes after A.As shown in Fig. 3,

control units D and E are coordinated through lead 84 in a similarmanner on a ZIO-minute cycle as set on unit D, and unit E dofis 105minutes after D and is reset by D. Control unit F is runningindependently on a l85-minute dofiing cycle. The hours listed in thechart of Fig. 3 represent the clock time when the spindle S1 on eachmachine doifs for the first, second, third, and fourth times after 12:00oclock noon. The advantage of such coordinating of winding machines isthat doff times, and hence yardages on the bobbins, are held constantbetween machines, and by staggering the deli times the operators do notmeet in the aisles between adjacent machines and work loads can beevenly distributed.

It is apparent that many modifications and variations of the dotf timingapparatus of the invention are possible to obtain the desired yardages,brake cycles, and work loads. If it is desired to change the intervalthat each spindle is braked, the on-and-ofi periods of the contactscontrolled by the cams 28, 29 and 30 can easily be changed throughadjustable gearing on the program timer 24. If small bobbins requiringcomparatively small doffing cycles are being filled, a SO-spindlewinding machine is preferable in which it is unnecessary to providemeans to transfer the braking circuit from one rotary stepping switch toanother. If it is desired to change the work load to allow a diiferentnumber of operators to doif a machine, and thus shorten the programtimer cycle and the interval that each spindle is braked, replacement ofcams 28, 29, and 34) by others having different percentage calibrationson the cam face is quickly and easily accomplished. Each cam isindependently adjustable for a specific timing sequence. In alternativeembodiments of the invention, the program timer 24 is controlled andstarted by the cycle timer 23 and electrical power is switched from thewiper of one rotary stepping switch to another after the first wiper hasstepped across all the contacts of its bank.

While the invention has been described wi h reference to the particularconstruction disclosed herein, it is not confined to the exact detailsset forth, and this application is intended to cover all suchmodifications or departures as may come within the intended scope of thefollowing claims.

I claim:

I. Doif timing apparatus for a multiple-spindle winding machine,comprising an electrically operated brake for each spindle, a powersource, and means for sequentially connecting said power source to saidbrakes for timed intervals.

2. Doif timing apparatus in accordance with claim 1 and including amastertimer adapted to be set to run for a desired doffing cycle, meansresponsive to said master timer reaching said set position for startingsaid connecting means, and means for resetting said master timer afterthe expiration of said dofiing cycle.

3. D01? timing apparatus for a multiple-spindle winding machine,comprising an electrically operated brake for each spindle, step-by-stepswitch means having a plurality of stationary contacts individuallyconnected to said brakes and wiper contact means adapted to besequentially advanced across said stationary contacts,

means for intermittently advancing said wiper means,

in power source, and means for connecting said power source to saidwiper means at timed intervals to sequentially brake said spindles.

4. Doff timing apparatus in accordance with claim 3 and including amaster timer adapted to be set and to run for a desired dotting cycle,and means for starting said wiper advancing means and said powerconnecting means after the expiration of said dofiing cycle.

5. Doff timing apparatus for a multiplespindle winding machine,comprising an electrically operated brake for each spindle, step-by-stepswitch means having a plurality of stationary contacts individuallyconnected to said brakes and wiper contact means adapted to be 8sequentially advanced across said stationary contacts, solenoid meansfor advancing said wiper means, means for intermittently energizing saidsolenoid means, apower source, and means for connecting said powersource to said wiper means to brake said spindles at timed intervals.

6. Dotf timing means in accordance with claim 5 and including a mastertimer adapted to be set to run for a desired dofling cycle, meansresponsive to said master timer running for said set doffing cycle forstarting said solenoid energizing means and said power connecting means,and means for resetting said master timer after the expiration of saiddotfing cycle.

7. Bolt timing apparatus for a multiple-spindle winding machine,comprising an electrically actuated brake for each spindle, means forsequentially selecting said brakes, a power source, switch means betweensaid source and selecting means for intermittently supplying powerthereto, and control means for opening and closing said switch means attimed intervals.

8. Dofi. timing apparatus in accordance with claim 7 and including amaster timer adapted to be manually set to run for a desired dofiingcycle, and means responsive to said master timer reaching said setposition for starting said brake selecting means and said control means.

9. Dotf timing apparatus in accordance with claim 8 and including meansfor resetting said master timer after the expiration of said doifingcycle.

10. Dotf timing apparatus for a multiple-spindle winding machine,comprising individual electrically actuated means for braking eachspindle, a master timer adapted to be set to run for a desired dofiingcycle, and means responsive to said master timer reaching said setposition for sequentially braking said spindles including stepby-stepswitch means having a plurality of stationary contacts each in circuitwith a braking means and wiper contact means adapted to be advancedsequentially across said contacts, solenoid means for advancing saidwiper means, switching means for intermittently energizing said solenoidmeans, a power source, other switching means between said source andsaid wiper means for intermittently connecting power thereto, andcontrol means for opening and closing both said switching means at timedintervals.

ll. DofE timing apparatus for a multiple-spindle winding machine,comprising individual electrically actuated means for braking eachspindle, step-by-step switch means provided with wiper contact means anda plurality of stationary contacts each of which is in circuit with abraking means and each of which is contacted by said wiper means,solenoid means for advancing said wiper means, synchronously-driventiming means adapted to cyclically produce a first and a secondelectrical impulse sequentially, a master timer adapted to be manuallyset to run for a desired doffing cycle, means responsive to said mastertimer reaching said set position for completing a circuit to direct saidfirst impulses to said solenoid means, means responsive to said mastertimer reaching said set position for completing a circuit to direct saidsecond impulses to said wiper means, and means for opening both of saidcircuits after said wiper means has contacted all of said stationarycontacts.

12. Dotr' timing apparatus in accordance with claim 10 I and includingmeans for resetting said master timer after the expiration of saiddoffing cycle.

13. Dotf timing apparatus for a multiple-spindle winding machine,comprising individual electrically operated means for braking eachspindle, a first and a second solenoid-operated step-by-step switch eachprovided with stationary contacts individually in circuit with a brakingmeans and a wiper contact adapted to be advanced across said stationarycontacts, means for connecting braking impulses to said wipers atpredetermined intervals, master timing means adapted to be manually setto run for a desired dofiing cycle, means responsive to said mastertimer reaching said set position for connecting stepping impulses to thesolenoid of said first switch, means for stopping szid stepping impulsesto the solenoid of said first switch and for connecting steppingimpulses to the solenoid of said second switch after the wiper contactof said first switch has advanced across its stationary contacts, meansfor stopping impulses to the solenoid of said second switch after thewiper contact thereof has advanced across its contacts, and means forresetting said master timer after the expiration of said dofling cycle.

14. Dofi timing apparatus for a multiple-spindle winding machine,comprising individual electrically operated means for braking eachspindle, a master timer adapted to be manually set and to run for adesired dofling cycle, and means started after the expiration of saiddofiing cycle for sequentially braking said spindles comprising aplurality of contact sets with each contact in circuit with a brakingmeans, a wiper for each contact set, solenoid means for each wiperadapted to sequentially advance said wiper across said contacts, switchmeans for providing stepping impulses, other switch means for providingbraking impulses, control means for opening and closing both said switchmeans at timed intervals, means for connecting said stepping impulses toa solenoid means and said braking impulses to a wiper of a contact set,means for disconnecting said impulses from a preceding contact set andfor connecting said stepping impulses to the solenoid means and saidbraking impulses to a wiper of a succeeding contact set after saidpreceding switch wiper has advanced across its contacts, means fordisconnecting said impulses from the last contact set after its wipershave advanced across all of its contacts, and means for resetting saidmaster timer after the expiration of said dofiing cycle.

15. Dofi timing apparatus for a multiple-spindle winding machine,comprising an individual electrically operated brake for each spindle, amaster timer adapted to be manually set to run for a desired doffingcycle, and means responsive to said master timer reaching said setposition for sequentially energizing said brakes comprising a pair ofstep-by-step switches each having a wiper contact, a set of stationarycontacts for each wiper contact with the stationary contactsindividually connected to said brakes, a solenoid means for each switchadapted to advance its wiper contact sequentially across its stationarycontacts, said switches also having a normal position in which saidwiper contact does not rest against any of the stationary contacts ofthe set and a pair of normally closed off-normal contacts adapted to beopened when the switch is at the normal position, motor-driven means forcyclically producing braking electrical impulses and stepping electricalimpulses, means for connecting said braking impulses to said wipers,means for connecting stepping impulses to the solenoid means of one ofsaid switches through its off-normal contacts Whereby said circuit isopened after said wiper is advanced across all of its stationarycontacts to the normal position, and means for connecting steppingimpulses to the solenoid of the second switch through its off-normalcontacts after said first switch has advanced sequentially across itsstationary contacts to the normal position.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS1,964,874 Fankboner July 3, 1934 2,068,014 Fulton Jan. 19, 19372,131,086 Arnett et a1. Sept. 27, 1938 2,463,028 Frist et a1. Mar. 1,1949

